Heart of a Lion

A Lone Cat's Walk Across America

Praise and Reviews

“This is one stirring account of one stirring journey—the trek of a fellow creature through a hostile, manmade world—and through our imaginations.”
—Bill McKibben, author of Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet

“Heart of a Lion is a tale of extraordinary achievement and resilience that reads both like an adventure novel and a detective story. This is a story of survival, a tale of how a big cat uses stealth, cunning, and physical prowess to travel thousands of miles seeking others of its kind to settle new lands and seed future generations. I loved this book.”
—Dr. Alan Rabinowitz, chief executive officer, Panthera

“The journey quest—a hero’s voyage. Think of Jason and the Golden Fleece, Odysseus and his homeland…a worthy addition to the narratives of young adventurers in search of riches, love, and meaning.”
—Laurance A. Marschall, Natural History

“Brilliant! One of the most persuasive and enthralling natural history books I’ve ever read. A powerful voice for learning to live with our wild neighbors.”
—John Davis, co-founder, The Wildlands Network. (Read the full review.)

“A book that may well rewrite our national understanding of Puma concolor. Part demon hunt, part natural history mystery, part unrequited love story, Heart of a Lion keeps tragic adventure company with Sebastian Junger’s The Perfect Storm and Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild.”
—Christopher Spatz, president, Cougar Rewilding Foundation

“Will Stolzenburg gives a chilling account of the ‘rural politics of hatred’ that result in persecution of an animal proven to have less impact on human safety than a bolt from the blue. In Heart of a Lion, he documents the 19th century attitudes that subvert 21st century science as well as the human capacity for compassion.”—Chris Bolgiano, author of Mountain Lion: An Unnatural History of Pumas and People, and co-editor of The Eastern Cougar: Historic Accounts, Scientific Investigations, New Evidence.

“What a great book. We learn just how awesome these prototype predators really are—predators who need to survive in a human-dominated world. I hope this book will rewild the hearts of people and generate further admiration and protection for this most amazing cat.”
—Marc Bekoff, author of Rewilding Our Hearts, and board member of The Cougar Fund

“An exhilarating book for anyone who yearns after the wild.”
—Susan Orlean, author of Rin Tin Tin and The Orchid Thief

“Don’t let the tragic demise of this amazing wild creature stop you from reading Stolzenburg’s book. He uses his considerable journalistic skills to piece together the fascinating story, enabling readers to become witnesses to the ‘remarkable journey of one lone, impassioned cat.’”
—Deborah Hopkinson, Bookpage.com. (Read the full review.)

“In weaving together details of the lion’s journey, Stolzenburg illustrates an America far removed from its wild roots and grappling with the reality of hanging on to any of these increasingly remote features of life.”—Ari Phillips, Fusion.net (Read the full review.)

“What a journey. What a story. And so beautifully told with so many layers. It is so refreshing to read such well researched investigative journalism yet told and shared in such a compelling, often gripping, and page turning way. I was in tears with the fateful ending of this remarkable lion.”
—Camilla Fox, founder and executive director, Project Coyote

“The heartbreaking story of a mountain lion’s journey across America.”—Alternet (Read the excerpt.)

“A story that’s sad and heartening at the same time: We regret the animal’s demise; we admire its strength, tenacity and determination; and we find a spark of hope that the apex predators native to our continent may be making a comeback to their former haunts.”—Hudson Valley Almanac Weekly (Read the full review.)

“Stolzenburg tells a riveting story that often reads like a thriller.”
—Susan Linnee, Minneapolis Star Tribune (Read the full review.)

“As Mr. Stolzenburg puts it, this remarkable and awe-inspiring wandering lion was ‘looking for two honorable things that should evoke empathy in all of us: A hospitable place to live, and a mate.'”
—Marc Bekoff, Psychology Today(Read the full review.)

“One of my favorite children’s books was The Incredible Journey, by Sheila Burnford. This cougar’s odyssey across America was even more incredible.”—Simon Worrall, National Geographic (Read the interview.)

“Heart of a Lion will change your thinking about how we humans treat mountain lions and all animals. A beautiful story, masterfully told.”—Karen Meyer, Executive Director, Lords of Nature, and Ocean Frontiers

“Stolzenburg is a master wordsmith and his prose is both precise and lyrical. Though unsentimental to its core, Heart of a Lion is also a passionate wake-up call to reconsider our wildlife policies. An important book and a compulsive read, it is an urgent call to save these majestic creatures and our environment.”—Caroline Griffin, Esq., AWI Quarterly

“Outdoor enthusiasts and animal lovers can unite together reading this dramatic wilderness tale.” —USA Today Network-Wisconsin (Read the full review.)

“This reverse western reads like parody, except it’s true. The nomad at its center remains a marvel to the end. One very cool cat.”
—Tony Horwitz, Wall Street Journal (Read the full review.)

“A true story of mystery and hope, and the result is a gripping and wise travelogue for our time.”—Jake Vail, Lawrence Journal-World (Read the full review.)

“This story will inspire you and leave you in awe. Heart of a Lion tells of one lion, who like Odysseus, would find his home only through his wandering….It is a story that had to be told and like all classics, one which we should retell over and over again.”—Penny Maldonado, Executive Director, The Cougar Fund (Read the full review.)

“What a story, beautifully rehearsed in this book, that cougar’s epic trek reveals! A tale of amazing persistence, a suggestion of the feline nobility that we have lost.” —Phil Terrie, Adirondack Explorer(Read the full review.)

“A thrilling tale of one young tom’s wayfaring from the Black Hills across the US, in what I think is the most thoughtful discussion of our love-hate history with the mountain lion. I also cried at the end–which is about the highest compliment I can give to a writer’s talent. As the person who coined the word “rewilding” and author of Rewilding North America, I believe returning the mountain lion to its top predator role in eastern North America is the most important single rewilding goal today. Heart of a Lion is a mighty weapon in that fight.” —Dave Foreman, The Rewilding Institute

“This award-worthy book is a highly readable scientific treatise with impeccable documentation and dedicated detective work combined with dogged commitment to unravel the journey of one of many mountain lions across the U.S. from the Black Hills of the Dakotas. For all who care about the ‘rewilding’ of America, this book is essential reading and a call to action.” —Dr. Michael W. Fox, author of Animals & Nature First.

“We’ve forgotten what it feels like to share the landscape with top predators; Stolzenburg’s book is a visceral reminder. ” —Ben Goldfarb, Earth Island Journal (Read the full review.)

“Absolutely fascinating. Stolzenburg’s underlying message may be one of pervasive hope that this particular window into America’s shrinking wilderness has not yet closed.” —Carolyn J. Kelly, The Mercury (Read the full review.)

“A treat to read. A solid summary of lion biology and ecology, as well as a peek into the polarized politics that haunt this storied predator. Stolzenburg might be the voice science needs in the natural-resources debate.” —Gary M. Koehler, Ecology